Rule 6-135 - Requirements of Signing Attorney(a) General. In addition to having been admitted to practice law in this State, an attorney signing a petition or paper in compliance with Rule 6-134 shall comply with one of the following two requirements. The attorney shall: (1) maintain an office for the practice of law in the United States, or(2) be a regular employee of an agency of government or of a business or other nongovernmental organization or association and be authorized to sign pleadings on behalf of the employer. The attorney shall not sign pleadings and papers on behalf of other clients unless both of the following requirements are met: (A) a substantial portion of the attorney's duties performed for the regular employer in the regular course of employment must constitute the practice of law, and(B) the office address as shown on the pleadings must be located in the United States and a substantial amount of the attorney's time must be spent in that office during ordinary business hours in the traditional work week.(b) Definition of "Office for the Practice of Law. In this Rule, "office for the practice of law means an office maintained for the practice of law in which a substantial amount of the attorney's time is usually devoted to the practice of law during ordinary business hours in the traditional work week. An attorney is deemed to be "in such an office even though temporarily absent from it if the duties of law practice are actively conducted by the attorney from that office.(c) Certification by Signing Attorney With Out-of-State Office. If an attorney signing a petition or paper in compliance with Rule 6-134 does not maintain an office for the practice of law in this State, the first paper signed by the attorney and filed in the action shall be accompanied by the attorney's signed certification of admission to practice law in this State.Md. R. Estate Settlem. 6-135
Adopted June 28, 1990, eff. 1/1/1991.